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Rating and reviewing pints of Smithwicks from different pubs in pursuit of Ireland’s nicest pint.

Joined January 2022
Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)Photo by The Smithwicks Sampler (@SmithwicksAle)
When I started off to find Ireland’s nicest pint of Smithwicks I didn’t think I’d find it so soon. This amazing pint is from Teach Dolmain in Carlow Town. It looked beautiful to begin with and tasted divine. Simply put this was the nicest pint I’ve ever had. Rating: 10/10
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Pint of Smithwicks from Woodlands Hotel, Limerick. It looked a solid pint with a gentle fade of colour however the each mouthful was met with an unpleasant after taste. Rating: 4/10
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Pint of ale from Killoran’s, Salthill, Co. Galway. A decent pint, solid head on it which remained consistent the whole way down the glass. Nothing major stood out but no flaws either. Rating: 7/10
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Pint of ale from the G Hotel, Galway. This looked promising with its strong head however this had a terrible smell and taste to it. Only managed to drink half of it before I decided I couldn’t drink anymore. Brutal pint at a cost of €7. Rating: 2/10
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Pint of ale from Shorthall’s in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. Nice head and colour to this pint. Started off with a refreshing mouthful and it didn’t stop there. Very consistent pint throughout. Rating: 8/10
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Do you drink Smithwicks with a Guinness head?
50%Yes
50%No
12 votes • Final results
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Pint of Ale from the Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. This pint had a lovely look to it and it was served chilled which is always a preference of the Sampler! Solid head and a crisp taste. Overall an enjoyable pint Rating: 8.5/10
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Pint of ale from Ashley Park House near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Pint was weirdly not pulled to the top of the glass. A decent pint, no real stand out characteristics but no negatives either. Overall just a grand pint Rating: 6.5/10
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Pint of Ale from Bread and Beer in Castledermot, Co. Kildare. Beautiful looking pint, lovely colour to the body of it. Served chilled and achieved a delicate balance of smoothness and fizz. A powerful pint. Rating: 9/10
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Pint of Ale from the Carrickdale Hotel on the border. This looked like red lemonade poured into a pint glass given the weak, fizzy head that fizzled away after a few moments. Very disappointing, needless to say the taste was not the best. Rating: 3.5/10
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Pint of Ale from Andy Flynn’s in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Looked promising, nice head and colour to it however in terms of taste it was only alright, nothing special about it. Rating: 5/10
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After a long hiatus we’re back! However it was a disappointing return when being handed a pint of Ale in the wrong glass in Finnegan’s, Limerick. Lots of bubbles under this weak head. Taste was only okay. Rating: 4/10
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Pint of ale from Paddy Murphy’s Pub in Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare. First mouthful gave an unusual taste which had me worried however this got better with every mouthful and proved to be a fine, smooth pint that went down very easy. Rating: 8/10
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Pint of Ale from An Poitín Stil in Dublin. Nice colour and head to begin with. Initial mouthfuls were crisp and refreshing however towards the end it that was replaced by somewhat of an after taste. Overall a decent pint Rating: 7/10
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A fantastic pint of ale from The Dying Cow in Co. Wicklow (good luck finding it). Incredible from start to finish, smooth and well balanced, the head left rings down along the glass which is always a good sign. Rating: 9.5/10
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Pint of Ale from The Set, Langtons in Kilkenny. Fine head with a smooth balance. Felt it coould have done with being a bit colder. Rating: 8/10
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In wake of tomorrows big match, Pint of Ale from Croke Park (Premium Level Section 506). Decent pint, solid head on it and good colour. Probably one of the first ones pulled on the day before they got flowing so not as nice as some of the later ones. Rating: 7/10
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Lilly’s Bar, Portlaoise provided this sensational pint of ale. Lovely pint from start to finish. The head left rings down along the glass which is always a good sign. Rating: 9/10
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Sometimes the bubbles around the head are a result of the glass not being properly dry
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Pint of ale from Ryan’s Sandymount house. Solid pint, bit of bite to it. Consistent throughout. Rating: 8/10
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33South Main in Naas. Pint looked a lovely colour so hopes were high however there was no real taste off this pint. A first time to experience this. Pint was chilled nicely and had a nice balance of smoothness/fizz but hard look past the bland taste. Rating: 5/10
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